Monday, June 4, 2012

You have to have been physically present on a Ground to
hear the rave rantings, shouts of ‘Sachin, Sachin’ filling the air, every time
the little Master walks out to bat – or the delirious mood of the crowd when
Sachin gets to a landmark, takes a catch, comes on to bowl, or simply turns
towards the crowd – it is magic, and keeps occurring with systematic
regularity, irrespective of which part of India, the stadium is ………. – the little
Genius draws crowds everywhere, in whatever form he plays !! – and crowds
expect him to score another century, everytime he pads on…………….

Though it had its first sitting on 13th May
1952, technically it became Rajya Sabha only on 23rd August 1954 –
as this was the day when the Chairman of Rajya Sabha made an announcement in
the House that the Council of States would now be called ‘Rajya Sabha’ in
Hindi.

RS – Council of States is the Upper House of Parliament of
India having a membership of 250, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of
India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature, science, and
social services. These members are known as nominated members. The terms of office are six years, with one
third of the members retiring every two years. The Rajya Sabha meets in
continuous sessions and, unlike the Lok Sabha, is not subject to dissolution.

Sure you would have read a lot in to the politics that has
kept the greatest all-rounder ever to have played for India – Kapil
Dev – out of the recipients of the largesse from BCCI. That is politics in Cricket – here is
something on a Cricketer in Politics.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made his debut at Karachi in 1989
at tender age of 16 but it was not uptil
1994 at Auckland in 1994 that he opened the innings for India and went on to
become the most successful opener [primarily in One dayers] – his first ton
came after 79 one dayers now he has 49 and 51 in Tests.

a balanced stance at the crease - would it be at Parliament too ??

Innumerable times, he has walked with different partners
to take the strike, but today, perhaps he would have been somewhat nervous in
his stance as he stands up to take oath at Indian Rajya Sabha. Today
he would be sworn in as a Member of Parliament [I had posted my thoughts
reflecting my views on this :] He is expected to take oath in the office of
Vice President Hamid Ansari later today.
While Tendulkar will not have much to do immediately since Parliament is
not meeting presently, he may be seen in the next session.

A former Delhi
legislator had filed a petition in the Delhi High court seeking to quash the
batsman’s nomination to Parliament by the President. However, while the court
asked the government to reply to the petition it has not stopped the cricketer
from taking oath.

There have been many supporters : Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has
wished the cricketer all the best in his tenure in Parliament. MS Dhoni has stated “This (Rajya Sabha) is a
new avenue for him and I am sure he will do well and contribute there also.” World chess champion Viswanathan Anand
yesterday said that Sachin Tendulkar serving as Rajya Sabha member would be a
big step in his life and wished the cricket legend to enjoy his new role.

For Ram Gopal Singh Sisodia, a former Delhi MLA (of
Socialist Party in the 1950s) who is opposing Tendulkar’s nomination to the
Rajya Sabha, the cricketer is nothing but an interloper who doesn’t belong in
the Upper House of Parliament. “Rajya Sabha is not meant for sports persons,” a
triumphant Sisodia said after coming out of Delhi High court which had issued a
notice to the Centre after hearing his PIL.
His petition legally could embarrass the President as it is her office
which finalises such nominations.